[dhenderson116]

Thank you for all the replies. I have been back and forth with Air France several times and they still take no responsibility for the problem. Delta didn't compensate us very much but they did give my travel partner and I some credit for a future flight and also gave me some bonus mileage on my Skymiles account because of the miles that were not given to me when we were forced to fly home on Air France. I'm sure the reasons for the compensation were just what you figured, as I figured the same. I am also well aware that Air France flights must stop in Paris on their way to the U.S. but we didn't want to fly Air France. I wanted to fly on a direct flight to the U.S. by Delta which was the flight we contracted for, even if it meant flying the next day, but that would have caused the airlines to lay out money for a hotel, etc. We should have been given options at the airport, not just given a notice that our flight was changed and “have a nice day.” They wrecked my day and the last two days of my vacation which were mainly spent trying to rebook and fly home with my group.

I appreciate the information from jimworcs about EU rights under European Directive 261/2004 and will write to a higher authority at Air France re this directive. Thank you for this. Air France was not at all helpful nor was Delta until I threatened them with complaining on-line about them, but at least Delta came through in the end. It apparently doesn’t mean anything to Air France. Well now they mean nothing to me.

Our travel company was Gate 1. I advised them of the situation and they said they would contact the airlines as a liaison. When I asked them for copies of their correspondence, I was double-talked and never received it. I have gotten no other response from them other than that they were sorry for the foul-up but had nothing to do with it. All the leg work was done by me vis-à-vis the airline correspondence, and I will once again contact Air France. Thank you to all that took the time to respond to me. It’s great to know there is a site like this to vent airline problems and people kind and knowledgeable enough to respond.